These are common bait rigs used in the lake/surf for different species.
If you want to use plastics then you will need to look for
far
more specialist pages than these.

The style of rigs are simple and aimed at getting the kids with mum and
dad having a great day fishing.

Teaching a child how to fish is a great experience so even
though these rigs
are simple, catching fish can have a powerful effect on child's understanding of
the environment. So don't underestimate their view of the world. A
bit of care will have the line in the water more often than on the bank!

Don't blind the kids with science, make it manageable so they can learn and
have fun at the same time.

If you know a better rig to get beginners up and going then let me know.

What is a Knot? It is what turns a slippery bit of nylon filament into a lot of friction.

The drawings on the right are obviously not to scale, and fishers must experiment on any given day to find the right rig set up.

Good luck and tight lines!

Take
advantage of these line bins and dispose of your unwanted line
responsibly, or if you find someone else's line show them what they
should have done and put in the mini-bin on the post.

The Essential Beginner's Rigs

Tackle
-Stock up the following items, but no need to over do it!!!

Swivels -
The first advice is to always use a swivel above the rig. The
"eggbeater" type of reel is the most common and easiest to use, as long
there is a swivel to release the twist imparted every time the line is
cast and retrieved. Beginners will have no end of trouble
with
tangles at the reel if the twist builds up. Two swivels will be even more effective (see Paternoster rig below).

Hooks -
Begin with a #2 Baitholder hook and if there are bites and no hook ups,
then drop down in size to a #4. However if the majority of fish are
undersize, then move up in hook size. If you are targetting fish with smaller
mouths eg Whiting or Luderick then begin with a #4. If you are after
Garfish you will need #10 or #12 hooks in the tackle box.

Sinkers -
Small sinkers allow better presentation of bait to wary fish, however
generally for beginners a heavier sinker will cause less problems.
Don't go so heavy though, that the tip of the rod is over loaded.
Smaller ball sinkers are handy to get a float weighted
right.
Split shot are good for Garfish rigs.

Line -Standard monofilament
line is recommended from about 6 -12lbs breaking
strain. This line will perform well on most fish in most
circumstances,
and also allowing many snags to be beaten. With a smooth drag setting
on the reel and a flexible rod tip this line will catch most
fish. Most importantly the simpler
knots
will tie easily, so fixing rigs is easier and quicker. Later this
allows the kids to set up their own rigs which is much more
desirable. Avoid fancier highly flexible or braid lines
to begin with unless
you just love fancy knot tying.

Basic Rigs -
begin with these and explore the others as needed. If you are not sure how to tie a strong knot then check the Knots Information.

Running Sinker -
Easily the most popular rig. An all purpose approach that can
catch nearly any type of fish, but does best with bottom feeding fish
such as Flathead or Bream. Change the hook or the sinker or lengths of
leaders for a wide range of similar set ups. The swivel is essential as it will
release twist. The sinker will allow the line to run through
if a
fish moves the bait (and the line) and not immediately feel the sinker.
Least complicated and easiest rig for beginners to cast and
retrieve. (Black Bream, Sea Bream, Flat Head)

Paternoster -
The sinker is at the end of the rig and one or two leaders are attached
above it. Good for avoiding crabs around jetties that will
quickly pinch bait lying on the bottom. Allows two types of bait to be
tried on the two hooks to see which performs best. Nibbles or bites can be
seen/felt directly as the main line is set under tension. (Snapper, Tailor, Trevally)

Floats -
These are a little more trouble, but are worth it if you are after
Luderick or Garfish.

The Luderick
rig needs a properly weighted
float. Set the flotation bulb of the float so it is just
submerged, and only the stick tip is out of the water and is vertical.
The float then operates as the most sensitive nibble detector.
Use
a #4 or #6 short shank hook and one or two small split shot along the
leader to get the bait to the chosen depth (most important
if there is any current around). Luderick are noted fussy level
feeders, change the leader length to find the depth they are at.

Luderick have small mouths,
but
grow big and are real fighters. Best skinned and filleted.

The Garfish rig is similar
but
use a cigar shaped float that lies horizontal on the water and is best
rigged with a #10 or #12 long shank hook.

They are surface
feeders and only a couple of small split shot on the leader are
required to assist with casting. As you gently retrieve the rig
the bait will tend to come to the surface behind the float. This
is ok and the gar's will love it. Small fish but beautiful
flavour, butterflied and shallow fried in bread crumbs!!!

NB The colours of the floats
here are just to highlight the differences, in reality they can be any
colour, even transparent, though red and white is traditionally
popular..